U.S. to Meet Mexico on Sept. 9 at Famed Estadio Azteca

MNTAug 1, 2007

CHICAGO (August 1, 2007) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will continue their long rivalry against Mexico when their third meeting of the year takes place Sept. 9 at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Kickoff for the teams’ first friendly on Mexican soil since 1984 is set for 3 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Univision. Fans can also follow the match live online via ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

"Playing a match at the Estadio Azteca is one of the truly special qualities of the U.S.-Mexico rivalry," said U.S. head coach Bob Bradley, who is 2-0-0 in first two games against Mexico. "Along with the history and passion of the series, the distinctive challenges of playing away against Mexico present another valuable opportunity to advance our program.”

The U.S. has dominated the series of late, collecting an 8-0-1 home record against Mexico since 2000. In the team’s last meeting, the U.S. engineered their first-ever come-from-behind victory against El Tri to complete a 2-1 victory and collect the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup title, their fourth regional championship trophy (Watch the celebration here). In the other contest this year, goals from Jimmy Conrad and Landon Donovan elevated the U.S. to a 2-0 win on Feb. 7, 2007, before a sold-out crowd of 62,462 in Glendale, Ariz.

The USA has never won a match on Mexican soil, holding a lifetime record of 0-22-1. Their last friendly in Mexico resulted in a 1-2 loss on Oct. 17, 1984, in Mexico City. The teams have played south of the border five times since, the USA’s lone goal during that span coming in the 2-1 loss in 2006 World Cup qualifying on March 27, 2005. Despite the loss, the Eddie Lewis strike in the 59th minute proved to be decisive in the final standings, giving the U.S. a one-goal advantage in goal differential and a first-place finish in the group.

The U.S. has a lifetime record of 14-29-10 against Mexico in a series that dates to 1934. Since the rivalry between these two teams began in earnest in 1990, the sides have played 26 times, with the U.S. holding a 12-7-7 advantage. In the teams’ most significant matchup, the United States defeated Mexico, 2-0, in the Round of 16 of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, advancing the U.S. to the quarterfinals of the tournament for the first time in 72 years.

Next up on the U.S. schedule is the first trip to Europe of the year, a matchup against 11-time World Cup finalist Sweden on Aug. 22 in Goteberg, Sweden. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. ET, and the match will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision. After the Mexico clash, the U.S. then takes advantage of a double FIFA date in October, first facing Catalonia on Oct. 14 at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain, and then traveling to face Switzerland on Oct. 17 in Basel. Both October matches will also be televised on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision.